Not seeing results in your job search?

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Entry-level workers, Job seekers, Uncategorized

You’ve done the research, found the jobs you want, created a killer resume, applied for a dozen job openings, and. . .nothing?

resumeIt’s not uncommon to feel stalled in your job search. Sometimes it means you just haven’t found the right match yet. But sometimes it means you haven’t crossed all your t’s or dotted your i’s. The fact is, there’s always a certain amount of tweaking you can do to your resume, your cover letter, and your interviewing skills. Read on for some ideas.

Are you not even getting called in for interviews? You might want to brush up your resume. Check out some of these common problems—and how to address them:

  • You aren’t tailoring your resume and cover letter to EACH job you apply for. Show each prospective employer why you’re the perfect person for the job. If your skills or experience isn’t an obvious match, you need to connect the dots for the employer.
  • Your cover letter or resume are poorly written or have typos. Have a friend or relative who is a good writer look over your materials. A fresh eye may catch errors you missed.
  • You have gaps in your employment history. Consider using a functional resume format instead of a chronological one to highlight skills and accomplishments rather than job history.
  • You aren’t selling yourself well. You need to communicate what’s special and unique about what you have to offer. If you’re not sure where to start, try taking a skills assessment.
  • You aren’t using the right keywords. Many online job banks use a keyword matching system to match resumes to job openings. Good keywords can be found in the job ad or position description. Use these to describe your skills, experience, and education.

Are you getting interviews but no job offers? Something might be going wrong in the interview process:

  • You don’t know enough about an employer. Researching the employer is an important step in applying for any job. It’s best to do it before you apply, but you really need do it before an interview. Your research will help you be better prepared for the interview questions.
  • Your interviewing skills are falling flat. Review interview tips to prepare for the interview and practice answering common interview questions. It may also help to do a mock interview with a friend, family member, or former colleague.
  • You’re sending the wrong message. Even when you’re not speaking, you’re sending a message. How you walk, your posture, eye contact, and how you dress all say something about how you feel and what you are thinking.
  • You’re saying negative things about your past employer. An interview is not the time to do this. Unless you can show how you turned a negative situation into a positive one, potential employers will think less of you.
  • You’re pricing yourself out of the job. Employers will ask about your salary requirement or your previous salary. If you name a salary that’s too high, they may no longer consider you for the job. Too low, and they may think you’re not serious. Visit Salary Info to learn about average salaries for your field, and use that information to guide your salary negotiations.

Want to learn more about job search techniques like networking, writing resumes, interviewing, and more? Visit Job Search at CareerOneStop.org

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Top 10 reasons to hire a veteran

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers

Veterans Day is the one official day each year that Americans set aside to honor those who’ve served in the U.S. Armed Forces.  But if you’re an employer or human resources representative, you can help veterans all year long—by integrating or enhancing a veterans-hiring initiative in your business or organization.

So why should you hire veterans—and how do you get started? 

veterans dayCheck out the Top 10 list below—from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans Hiring Toolkit—to see the benefits. Then, follow the links at the bottom of this article to get started recruiting and hiring the right veterans for your needs.

Top 10 Reasons Veterans Make Great Employees

  1. Ability to learn new skills and concepts. While in the military, Service Members undergo rigorous training programs to become experts in a wide-range of skills and concepts that can easily be transferred to a civilian work environment. The skills Service Members have learned and applied in real-world situations in the military make them ideal candidates to enhance your organization’s productivity.
  2. Strong leadership qualities. The military trains Service Members to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation and inspiration in some of the toughest situations imaginable. Service Members are not only well schooled in the academic theory of leadership; they also understand and have used practical ways to manage behaviors for results.
  3. Flexibility to work strongly in teams or work independently. Military training teaches Service Members to work as a team by instilling a sense of a responsibility to one’s colleagues. In addition, the size and scope of military operations necessitates that Service Members understand how groups of all sizes relate to each other and support the overarching objective. While military duties stress teamwork and group productivity, they also build individuals who are able to perform independently at a very high level.
  4. Diversity and strong interpersonal skills. Service Members have learned to work side by side with individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, economic status, and geographic origins as well as mental, physical and attitudinal capabilities. Many Service Members have also been deployed or stationed in numerous foreign countries that give them a greater appreciation for the diverse nature of our globalized economy.
  5. Ability to work efficiently and diligently in a fast-paced environment. Service Members have developed the capacity and time-management skills needed to know how to accomplish tasks correctly and on time, in spite of limited resources and immense pressure.
  6. Respect for procedures and accountability. Service Members know how policies and procedures enable an organization to be successful and they easily understand their place within an organizational framework. Service Members understand the responsibility that comes with being responsible for the actions of subordinates and they understand how to properly elevate issues through the proper supervisory channels.
  7. Hands on experience with technology and globalization. Today’s military uses the cutting-edge technology to maintain our dominance over the enemy in the battlefield. From communications technology to the security of computer networks and hardware, Service Members must stay aware of emerging technologies in the public and private sector.
  8. Strong personal integrity. Military training demands that individuals not only abide by a strong Code of Ethics, but that they live it each and every day. Military personnel are often trusted with security clearances that give them access to highly sensitive information. An employee with a proven track record of trustworthiness is often an asset to an organization.
  9. Strong sense of health, safety and property standards. Service Members are aware of health and safety protocols both for themselves and the welfare of others. Individually, they represent a drug-free workforce that is cognizant of maintaining personal health and fitness. On a company level, their attentiveness and care translate into respect for employees, property and materials.
  10. Triumph over adversity. In addition to dealing positively with the typical issues of personal maturity, Service Members have frequently triumphed over great adversity. Service Members have proven their mettle in mission critical situations demanding endurance, stamina and flexibility. In the case of wounded warriors, they have overcome severe disabilities, acquired injuries (including invisible injuries) through strength, determination and personal conviction.

Ready to get started?

Here are two simple steps:

  1. Begin by posting your job opening on your state job bank. Follow the instructions on your state job bank website to post jobs.
  2. Next, contact a Veterans Employment Representative at an American Job Center. Let them know you want to hire a veteran. They may ask for details of your job listing(s). They will be able to help you identify qualified veterans.

Want to learn more?

Visit CareerOneStop’ s Business Center for more tips and information on hiring veterans.

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Three great reasons to hire people with disabilities

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Businesses and employers, Workers with disabilities

Did you know October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month? The month is almost over, but it’s never too late to embrace the U.S. Department of Labor’s theme for October 2014: “Expect. Employ. Empower.”

Disability employment awareness is about recognizing the value of including people with disabilities in the labor market; hiring people with disabilities; and maintaining inclusive and accommodating workplaces for all. As Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy says,

“We all have a role to play in — and benefit to gain from — increasing opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities.”

If you’re a business owner or hiring manager you have the opportunity to spread disability employment awareness all year. So why should you hire people with disabilities? Here are three solid reasons:

workers with disabilities 1) You’ll gain committed employees. Many employers report that their employees with disabilities are among their most dedicated and productive. Why? They’re often highly motivated and skilled at adapting to new or difficult situations. Plus, they tend to stay in positions longer than people without disabilities. According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce study, workers with disabilities had an 80 percent lower turnover rate than those without.

2) You’ll increase morale—and likely, productivity—at your workplace. Co-workers of people with disabilities report that they gain much from their colleagues with disabilities: a sense of inclusiveness for all workers, greater appreciation for their employer, and a broader perspective stemming from a more diverse workplace.

3) You may be eligible for tax benefits. When you hire someone with a disability, you may become eligible for several tax benefits such as the Disabled Access Credit, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the Barrier Removal Tax Deduction and more. Read more about Tax Credits for Businesses Who Have Employees with Disabilities from the Internal Revenue Service.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is nearly over, but it’s not too late to take advantage of the benefits of hiring someone with a disability. Read more about Hiring a Diverse Workforce at CareerOneStop’s Business Center.

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Tips for discussing your criminal record at a job interview

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Workers with criminal records

Ban the Box laws—barring employers from asking about a criminal record on initial job applications—are now in nearly 70 cities and 13 states.
exoffender
That’s good news for job seekers with a past conviction—but it doesn’t mean they won’t have to discuss that conviction as they move through the hiring process.

Ban the Box laws are intended to give people with a criminal record a fair shot at making it past the initial screening phase of the hiring process. But if you have a conviction on your record, and you get called back for a job interview, you’ll want to be ready to discuss your conviction in a way that assures the employer of a few things:

  1. You’ve learned from any past mistakes you’ve made
  2. You’re committed to being successful
  3. You’re not a risky hire

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of an opportunity to convince an employer to hire you:

  • Be honest. Never lie to an interviewer or put false information on your resume or application. This will disqualify you when the employer does a background check or checks your references.
  • Make a good first and last impression. Avoid talking about negative issues at the very beginning or the end of an interview. If possible, try to address your criminal history in the middle of the interview. End with a summary of your qualifications and interest in the job.
  • Keep it simple, and emphasize the positive. If asked to give information about your past (convictions, incarceration, drug and/or alcohol abuse), avoid telling “your side of the story.” Even if you were wrongly convicted, you will leave a negative impression. Keep focused on what you have to offer the employer, not your personal story. Say something like:

    I understand that you have questions about my background. I assure you that I have learned from my mistakes and have corrected past problems. I have spent time training for this career path because I am more mature now and have a solid plan for my future. If given the chance, I will give your company 100 percent effort. I know you will not be disappointed if you hire me.

  • Focus on your current activities and future plans. Emphasize the education and job training, community work, and other activities you have done since your release. Talk about your career goals, how you chose them, and how the job you are applying for fits them.
  • Be ready to talk about benefits available to employers who hire people with a record. You can bring up the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which gives tax discounts to employers who hire low-income ex-offenders. You can print a brochure about this program to bring to interviews by clicking the WOTC Brochure link below. Also talk about the Federal Bonding Program which is insurance for employers concerned about theft or dishonesty by an employee. Tell employers they can call 1 (877) US2-JOBS to get more information.

Find more tips, resources, and tools to help ex-offenders move past their criminal conviction at CareerOneStop’s Job Search Help for Ex-Offenders.

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Take five minutes to jump-start your career change

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers

Do you feel like it’s time to make the leap to a new career—but aren’t sure what that career should be?

Sometimes a career change is inspired by the realities of the job market: the economy, technology or any number of factors can make entire industries, jobs, or skills obsolete. Other times career changes are inspired from within: we get burned out, overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or just feel like it’s time to try something new.

Whatever your motivation for thinking about a career change, CareerOneStop’s mySkills myFuture is a great place to get started. The website is easy-to-use, free, and includes unbiased career and employment information. The best part? You can get started exploring your new career in five minutes or less.

mySkills myFuture takes your past or current job and shows you a list of careers that may use similar skills or work experiences. The list may include some jobs you’ve already considered . . .and some you’ve never even thought about it.   From your list, you can choose to learn more about one or many careers, and you’ll find information on typical wages, job duties, and education requirements as well as links to local training programs and job listings.

The site is easy to navigate on your own, but here are a few simple steps to help you get started building a bridge to your new career.

myskills

1) Visit mySkills myFuture and enter the name of your current job—or one you’ve held in the past.

2) Click “FIND MY CAREER MATCHES” to see a list of careers and job titles that use skills and knowledge you may already have from your current or past job.

3) Scan your list of career matches and the information provided for each one. You might be interested in:

  • Which careers are labeled as “Bright Outlook” (occupations that are expected to grow quickly or have many job openings in the coming years)?
  • Do the typical wages meet your salary requirements?
  • Is the typical education in line with your education level or goals?
  • Are there many job postings?

4) Follow the links to find details about careers you’re interested in. At any time, enter your city, state or ZIP code and click on “See Job Listings” or “Find Training” to view opportunities in your local area.

Have fun exploring your next career move! And once you’ve visited mySkills myFuture, leave us a comment below to tell us what you like—or don’t like—about the site.

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How’s your elevator speech?

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Entry-level workers, Job seekers, Older workers, Students, Uncategorized

Not sure how your elevator speech is—or even what an elevator speech is?

Now’s the time to dust off, create, or brush up your 30-second career pitch. That’s your elevator speech: a quick and unique introduction to who you are, what you do best, and why someone should hire you.

Why have an elevator speech?

You don’t need to spend much time in elevators to benefit from having a clear, concise description of your career strengths and goals. When you’re able to convey three points succinctly—who you are, what you do best, and how a future employer will benefit from that—you’ll find endless opportunities to put your elevator speech to use. You can use it at:

  • Job fairs
  • Networking events
  • Calling prospective employers
  • Job interviews (what a great way to begin your answer to “Tell me about yourself.”)
  • And last but not least, the moment you do find yourself in an elevator with a higher-up at your own company or one you want to move to.

elevator speech

How to craft the perfect elevator speech

Elevator speeches are simple. Deceptively simple. When you have 30 seconds to get it right, you can’t afford a misstep. Follow these steps to draft your unique career pitch—one that will leave your listeners wanting to know more about you, including how they can help in your search.

STEP 1: Say who you are and what you do in one sentence. Then take what you do and re-describe it in terms of how it helps a boss, client, employer, or other stakeholder.

  • Example: “I’m Jane Doe and I’m a human resources manager.”  Becomes: “I’m Jane Doe and I help my company streamline their hiring process and increase retention.”
  • Example: “I’m John Doe and I’m a server at a large chain restaurant.” Becomes: “I’m John Doe and I convince customers to return again and again to The Burger Joint—because I make them feel great about their experience.”

STEP 2: Add a sentence highlighting a unique skill, honor, or experience you bring to the table.

  • Example: “I’m Jane Doe and I help my company streamline the hiring process and increase retention. Last year I implemented a new software system that shaved weeks off of average hiring time—and led to even higher retention. ”
  • Example: “I’m John Doe and I convince customers to return again and again to The Burger Joint—because I make them feel great about their experience. For three years straight, I’ve received more positive reviews than anyone else on staff.’

STEP 3: Add a follow-up. End your pitch with a specific question. Depending on the situation, this could be:

  • “Could we set up a time to talk about how my skills could benefit your company?”
  • “Do you have any advice for me?”
  • “Do you know anything about this company?”
  • “Do you know anyone who does know about ______________?”
  • “Can I use your name to contact them?”

STEP 4: Test-drive your pitch. Try it out in front of the mirror, and then in front of a few friends. Make changes until you have a solid pitch that feels right to you and your test audience.

Find more tips about how to boost your job search with a great elevator speech, and other networking tips at Form a Network from CareerOneStop.

Have any other tips for crafting or delivering a great job search elevator pitch? Leave us a comment below!

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In high school? Time to start planning your career

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Students

High school students often have plenty of things to worry about. Between your grades, your friends, your family, and maybe a job . . .  career planning can pretty quickly sink to the bottom of your list.

But think about this: you’ll probably spend a large amount of your adult life working. Your future happiness and success may largely depend on your career and your job satisfaction. So any time you spend now planning your career will pay off in the future.

What can you do?

  • First, take the time to identify your interests. This will help you decide on a career and education plan—and that will help you stay on track, and make better work and life choices.
  • Explore careers to help figure out which one may be the best fit for your interests and skills—as well as which ones will pay enough for you to afford the lifestyle you want.
  • Once you have an idea of the career fields you’d like to explore, you can find education options to help you get there.

How will it help you?

  • Taking the time to make a career and education plan can help you avoid making hasty decisions and costly mistakes.
  • For the most part, more education means more money; when you plan ahead, you can achieve higher levels of education.
  • You can end up in a job that suits your unique personality—in a career field you like!

Author Kathy Kirchoff is a CareerOneStop staff member.  Leave her a question or comment below about your own career planning process.

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Paying for training

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Entry-level workers, Students, Veterans

Ready to update your job skills? Going back to school and earning a certification, a certificate, or a degree is one of the best ways to make yourself stand out in the job market.

Lots of people know that—but school can be expensive, and paying for it when you’re unemployed or underemployed can be confusing at best.

To help you navigate the world of financial aid, we’ve gathered information on some of the most common programs below. See which ones may apply to you, and follow the links to learn more.

Have you been laid off from a job?

If you were laid off as part of a mass layoff, you may qualify for assistance from the Dislocated Worker program through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Find out if you qualify by contacting your local American Job Center.

Are you a veteran?

If you’re a veteran—and you served at least 90 days after September 10, 2001—you may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Learn more about the GI Bill for Education & Training from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Have you looked into scholarships?

You may be surprised to learn how many different types of scholarships are available to help pay for school. Scholarships are grants of money that you don’t need to pay back—they often come from a specific school, community group, business, or the government. You may have heard of sports scholarships, but you don’t have to have a specific talent to qualify for a scholarship. Many are based on location, race, ethnicity, life experience, or other characteristics. Visit CareerOneStop’s Scholarship Search to begin your search.

Have you applied for federal financial aid?

Federal financial aid includes grants—money you don’t have to pay back—and loans—money that you do pay pack. The most common federal financial aid programs include:

  • Pell Grants, which can provide up to $5,500 for costs at community colleges, colleges and universities, and many trade and technical schools.
  • Federal student loans, which allow students to borrow money through loan programs supported by the federal government. They have low interest rates and offer flexible repayment terms, benefits, and options.
  • Federal work-study jobs, which provide part-time employment for students enrolled in school.

The first step to getting federal financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA helps determine if you can get financial aid—as well as how much aid you’re eligible to receive.

Have any questions or comments about these or other financial aid options? Leave us a comment below!

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Boost your career with a certification

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Entry-level workers, Job seekers, Older workers
group of workers

Looking for a good way to start or advance your career?

A degree or diploma can show employers that you have skills and knowledge. And work history can demonstrate that you have experience in a field. But earning a certification can do both.

Certifications are nationally recognized awards that can show an employer you have skills and knowledge in a particular area. Certifications are available in hundreds of career fields. You usually have to pass an exam to earn one. Sometimes you take formal training to prepare for the exam; sometimes you study on your own or apply your work knowledge.

Take a look at CareerOneStop’s Certification Finder to see what national certifications are offered in your field, or in another career of interest. You can search this collection of thousands of national certifications by occupation, industry, skill, or keyword. You’ll find three main types of certifications:

  • Skill certifications: these certifications cover basic skills, and can often be applied in several career fields. Examples include a CPR certification or a desktop publishing certification. Some skill certifications are specific to a product, such as a software program.
  • Specialty certifications: these have to do with specialties within certain fields. For example, an Oncology Nurse certification and a Pediatric Nurse certification are both nursing certifications.
  • Advanced certifications: these certifications require an Associate’s degree or higher as well as more than two years of work experience; or sometimes they require that you hold a ‘core’ level certification from the same organization.

Learn more when you visit CareerOneStop’s Certification Finder. Then, come back and tell us what you think by leaving a comment below!

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Top 10 careers for graduates with two-year degrees

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Entry-level workers, Job seekers, Students

Thinking about starting or going back to college? Some of today’s hottest careers are available to graduates with Associate’s or other two-year degrees.

Take a look at this list of the ten careers expected to have the most job openings of all occupations that typically require a two-year degree.

10) Computer network support specialists

9) Respiratory therapists

8) Physical therapist assistants

7) Web developers

6) Radiologic technologists

5) Medical and clinical laboratory technicians

4) Paralegals and legal assistants

3) Dental hygienists

2) Preschool teachers

1) Registered nurses

Want to know more? Visit CareerOneStop’s Occupations with the Most Openings for more information, including:

  • The expected number of openings in any state
  • Occupation descriptions and average wages
  • Lists of jobs with the most openings for different levels of education, including high school, college, or graduate degrees.

This list is based on U.S. Department of Labor employment projections for the years 2012 to 2022. Openings can be projected to occur because new jobs will be created or because workers will retire.

What’s your experience with the job market? Leave us a comment below.

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